Lagos State Governor Mr Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday expressed confidence in the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Imohimi Edgal, to perform effectively.
Ambode spoke at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja when he received the immediate past Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni and the new CP alongside top officers of the Command.
He said there was no doubt about the enormous responsibility before the new police boss, but that it was gratifying that Edgal was very much familiar with the state’s security architecture.
The governor recalled how security was made one of the focal objectives of his administration since inception, saying that the development was designed as part of efforts to build a solid foundation for the growth of the Lagos economy and its people’s welfare.
He specifically thanked Owoseni for contributing immensely to the state’s security during his tenure as the CP, and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Ambode, who acknowledged that Edgal had been very familiar with the state’s terrain, assured him of the government’s support to ensure his success in office.
He said: “We are comfortable that he (Edgal) does not have to start trying to learn the ropes because he is very familiar with the security architecture of the state and the enormity of the assignment that has been given to him. On our part, we will ensure that we support him as well as men and officers of the state command.
“What is most important to us is that we must keep the city safe. Lagos must be safer, Lagos must be cleaner and it is based on that we can invite investors to come in. That is when we can project our 24/7 economy and so we cannot afford not to have a vibrant police force. More importantly is the fact that we in government have decided that without a safe city, we cannot have a prosperous state and the prosperity and the peace that Lagos is enjoying now is actually founded on that fabric of the safety of lives and property,” he said.
The governor also assured that his administration will support the Nigeria Police to scale up community policing.
“We will give the new CP all the support and I want to also say that we will support community policing. You must have seen that in our action which was why we established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and we want to thank the Nigerian Police for supporting that.
“The establishment of the Corps is part of the fabric of the community policing that the Nigerian Police Force is now projecting and we will support it with materials, resources and also ensure that every community is properly policed and in that, we will have the peace that everybody need to go about their activities without let or hindrance.
“We are very emphatic on law and order and we will ensure that our judicial system works in convergence with the Nigerian Police so that we can keep the city safe and more prosperous,” Ambode said.
Responding, the new CP did not hesitate to read the riot act to criminals and vandals who intend to threaten the peace in the state, saying that it would no longer be business as usual.
Edgal also warned police officers in the state to refrain from activities and actions capable of bringing the integrity of the command into disrepute.
“Let me also use this opportunity to warn criminals and hoodlums that it would not be business as usual and also use this opportunity to tell my colleagues here, and I hope they would pass the information to their subordinates: issues of human rights abuses, corruption, indiscipline generally, it would no longer be a slap on the wrist, the full weight of the law and police regulations would be meted out anybody found wanting during my watch,” the CP said.
According to him, the approach of his tenure would be based on the philosophy of community policing and community safety partnership.
“I intend to partner with everybody to ensure that Lagos is secured. I told my officers and men that my passion for this assignment means that if I have to dine with the devil with a long spoon to ensure that Lagosians live in peace and happiness, I will do so. Lagos is a cosmopolitan city, the issue of security is dynamic and of course, policing must also be dynamic.
